Surname Pryor - Meaning and Origin
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Prying into the Pryor Ancestry: A DNA Test’s Revelations and the Shift in Self-Understanding
The iGENEA DNA test revealed unexpected facets of my ancestry named Pryor. I discovered Scandinavian and Jewish roots that altered my perception of my genetic heritage, providing an enriching self-understanding.
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read morePryor: What does the surname Pryor mean?
The surname Pryor is derived from the Old English term "prior," which was used to denote a high-ranking member in a cathedral or monastery. It comes from the Latin word "priorem," meaning "superior" or "elder". The surname may have been originally given to someone who served in the specific role of a prior or it could also refer to a person who was employed in a priory. Over time, the spelling changed and evolved into its current form, Pryor. Thus, the surname Pryor has occupational origins, much like many other English surnames. While it is a relatively common surname in the United States, it also has a significant presence in the British Isles. Notable people with this surname include the late comedian Richard Pryor and English footballer Nicky Pryor.
Order DNA origin analysisPryor: Where does the name Pryor come from?
The last name Pryor is currently common in the United States, particularly in states such as Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. It is also found throughout the United Kingdom, especially in regions like England, Scotland, and Ireland. Additionally, Pryor can be found scattered across Australia and Canada.
Within the United States, states in the south and midwest have the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name Pryor. The largest concentrations by far are found in the states of Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia with relatively fewer cases found in other states. To be exact, Texas has the highest population of Pryors accounting for ten percent of the total US population.
The Pryor name is also located in other parts of the world as well. In the United Kingdom, Pryor is common in England, Scotland, and Ireland with a higher concentration found in England followed by Scotland. In Australia, it is located in all the states but concentration is found in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. It is also scattered around Canada with higher concentrations in Alberta and Ontario.
The Pryor last name, although not as popular as it once was can still be found in many parts of the world. As countries continue to grow and borders shrink, spread of large populations is becoming quite common with the Pryor name no exception.
Variations of the surname Pryor
The Pryor surname is believed to have originated in Britain and is of Old French origin. It is derived from the nickname 'pryer' which, in French, means 'prayer'. Throughout history, the surname Pryor has seen various spellings and variants including Pryer, Pryors, Pryar, Price, Prier, Pryour, and Pryoury.
Today, the Pryor surname is mainly found in Australia, Ireland, Canada, Scotland and the United States. Variants of the Pryor surname have also established a presence in many other countries around the world. In the United States, Pryor is the 663rd most popular surname, with more than 17,000 people claiming the name.
In the United States, the surname is associated with a number of notable people, including American rapper Pryor Battles, American comedian Richard Pryor, and British actor Roger Pryor. In Scotland, the surname is connected to Sir William Herbert, the 4th Earl of Pembroke who was born in 1501. He was known for fighting in the Battle of Flodden in 1513 where he was killed.
No matter where, the Pryor surname has variations that remain popular around the world. Variations include Pryor, Pryer, Pryors, Pryar, Price, Prier, Pryour, and Pryoury.
Famous people with the name Pryor
- Richard Pryor: Comedian, actor, social critic, and writer who was known for his observation of race relations in America during the1970s and ’80s.
- Rain Pryor: Actress, comedian, and writer. Daughter of Richard Pryor.
- Madeleine Pryor: Fictional character in Marvel comics and daughter of Mister Sinister from the X-men series.
- Aaron Pryor– Retired American boxer.
- Aaron Pryor Jr.: Former professional boxer and son of Aaron Pryor.
- Quanah Parker: Last Chief of the Quahadi band of Comanche Indians. His mother was a Comanche, and his father was a white man.
- Brian Pryor: Actor who has appeared in films and television shows such as “The Good Guys” and “The Boondocks.”
- Leroy Pryor: Retired US Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor in 1945.
- Abner Pryor: Early American pioneer and one of the founders of Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Molly Pryce: Actress who starred in the TV show “The Facts of Life,” and was in films such as “Rain Man” and “Gloria.”